Police official enters Florida State Twitter controversy

By Doug Blackburn and Ira Schoffel, Tallahassee Democrat

TALLAHASSEE
–
The controversy swirling around a Florida State football player's objectionable posts on Twitter heated up again on Wednesday, but a resolution could be at hand following communication between FSU coach Jimbo Fisher and the president of Florida's Fraternal Order of Police.

By Sam Sharpe, US Presswire

Jimbo Fisher is considering banning Florida State players from Twitter after recent inflammatory tweets by defensive back Tyler Hunter.

Jimbo Fisher is considering banning Florida State players from Twitter after recent inflammatory tweets by defensive back Tyler Hunter.

Sponsored Links

James W. Preston, who represents the 20,000-member state FOP, fired off a letter to university president Eric Barron and athletics director Randy Spetman on Tuesday, demanding the university investigate and discipline the player who made a post on the social networking site about killing police officers.

The player, sophomore defensive back Tyler Hunter of Valdosta, Ga., posted several tweets in an online rant following a traffic stop in Tallahassee. In one of the posts, he quoted a rap lyric: "We need to do like Cali n***** and kill cops."

Shortly after Hunter's tweets became public, Fisher told his entire team to stop using Twitter until further notice. Then, at ACC Kickoff in late July, Fisher told the media he was leaning toward banning players from the site until January so that they could focus on the upcoming football season.

In his letter, Preston took exception to that statement, saying it, "falls far too short for the seriousness of the incident. Inaction by the Athletic Department, by default, condones such outrageous behavior."

USA TODAY Sports on Twitter!

To get the latest sports news from USA TODAY, including game results, columns and features, follow us on Twitter at @USATODAYSports.

Preston went on to note that in 2011, Florida lost 13 on-duty law enforcement officers. And three more have died as a result of gunfire this year.

"Mr. Hunter has made explicit public threats against police officers on his 'twitter' social media account advocating the public assassination of police officers," Preston wrote. "For Tyler Hunter to suggest that citizens take to the streets to murder police officers should cause all law abiding citizens deep concerns. … I have attended far too many law enforcement funerals over the years and looked into the faces of the survivors and families left behind to mourn a senseless loss.

"For a Florida State University Football player to publicly advocate the murder of police officers is outrageous and hateful. His disparaging language was racist, provocative and violent in an attempt to incite others to violence."

After learning of the letter, Fisher called Preston early Wednesday morning, apologized for the situation and explained that the Seminoles' athletics department did not take the situation lightly. Fisher said Hunter already had faced some disciplinary action and will receive more.

"He expressed immediate remorse to me and he regrets the insensitivity of his Tweets," Fisher said in a statement released to the media Wednesday afternoon. "He has made it clear to me there was no intention behind the posts. To remain on this team he will learn the value of law enforcement and the risks they encounter every day. After going through this process he will make a public statement and apology with hindsight and education into his words and actions. He is also being punished internally and further punishment is not precluded."

Fisher told Preston he is working with FSU police Chief David Perry on educating the player, and the coach apologized to local authorities, including Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and Tallahassee Police Chief Dennis Jones.

"That apology was accepted," Perry said in a statement. "He (Fisher) wanted to let us know of the corrective action he was taking, which we thought was appropriate, and he asked for additional recommendations. I have met with the student-athlete personally and further reinforced how sensitive and inflammatory the Tweets were particularly from the point of view of law enforcement.

"In addition to several more counseling meetings, he will participate in a hands-on ride along experience to remind him of the difficulty, challenges and dangers faced by law enforcement while they provide safety and security to the communities they serve."

Preston, who lives in Tampa but has an office in Tallahassee, said he was encouraged by FSU's actions and appreciated the call from Fisher.

"I'm very pleased that the coach took the time to call," Preston said. "I think the player will end up making an apology after getting a better understanding of just what police officers are faced with every day."

Barron was out of town Wednesday. When reached by the Democrat, he said he wanted to talk with all parties before making a comment.